After 2 years of strictly virtual gatherings, we are excited to be Together Again, in person, celebrating our amazing community. With a variety of fun, entertaining, and engaging programming, FolkFest ‘22 will be a day you don’t want to miss! From music and art, to food and fun, FolkFest will be a celebration for you. 

We hope you will join us Sunday, October 30 at Minnesota Hillel from 3-6 p.m. for a variety of activities and programs for people of all ages. Then, at 7 p.m. our VIP Concert featuring Minnesota’s own Peter Himmelman will begin. Come for some or stay for all!

Want to become an event sponsor? Check out our packet to learn more, or email Carli Shapiro for more information.

FolkFest Lineup Descriptions

3 p.m. Hour

Wiggle Jiggle and Jam: Wendy’s Wiggle, Jiggle, and Jam is the perfect way to bring excitement and fun for kids of all ages. With her guitar, Wendy sings about everything kids love. Get ready to move and dance along with her as you march, sing, hop, and wiggle the entire show.

Who the Folk?! Live Taping: Lonny Goldsmith takes us behind the curtain as he welcomes Naomi Krtizer. Naomi Kritzer is a science fiction and fantasy writer from St. Paul. For the last decade or so she has been locally (in?)famous for her political blog, which provides deep-dive information on down-ticket local races in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Her fiction has won the Hugo Award, Edgar Award, and Minnesota Book Award. She has a spouse, two grown kids, and three cats (the number of cats is subject to change without notice). You can find Naomi online at naomikritzer.com or on Twitter as @naomikritzer. Her most recent book, Chaos on CatNet, is set in Minneapolis and available at many fine local bookstores.

Mussar Mindefulness: Center yourself with an interactive and contemplative session about the Jewish spiritual practice of Mussar. Julie Dean, the founder of Twin Cities Mussar, will share why so many people are finding this to be an incredible pathway of personal growth and deepening connection. Participants new to Mussar and with prior experience will come away with meaningful questions to uplift everyday life and personal reflection about their most important values.

4 p.m. Hour

Intro to Tie Dye: Join Debbie Wolfe of I Would Dye 4 You as she teaches us the basics of tie-dying. This interactive activity will teach you the skills to create your own masterpieces! You will even get to design and decorate your own challah cover to take home with you. Perfect for all ages.

Conversation with David Fhima: Chef and Restaurateur, David Fhima, joins us for a look into his journey, what it is like working with family, and the state of the restaurant industry. Stay for an exclusive Q and A session, plus one audience member will win a dinner for 2! Born in Casablanca Morocco to a Spanish mother and a Sicilian father, David Fhima has been in the US since 1982. He is married with 4 children and resides in Minnesota where he has worked and owned some recognizable and award-winning restaurants; Louis XIII, Mpls Cafeì, and Fhima’s/St. Paul to name a few. Pursuing his engineering degree at his father’s urging, David attended l’Eìcole d’ingenieur, in Geneva, Switzerland although his heart and passion remained true to food and people throughout achieving his degree. Under the tutelage of world-renowned chefs and restaurateurs, David’s culinary studies and training have taken him from Casablanca to London, Paris to Geneva and Los Angeles to Minneapolis; cities that have influenced him greatly. The biggest influence, however, has been his mothers cooking and his father’s prowess in butchering (not to mention the 5 languages they spoke at home between them!) He has worked with high-end clientele creating personal meal plans for celebrities as well as professional athletes and worked alongside school districts’ lunch programs creating balanced, clean lunches for children. David’s philosophy has always been – and continues to be – that “healthy” starts with whole ingredients, satisfying your cravings, a symbiotic relationship with the environment, moving your body naturally and feeding your senses. David’s belief is that a little science, a little common sense, and some personal preferences, with an emphasis on pleasure, is the healthiest way to shape everyone’s eating habits. He continues to partner with the Minnesota Timberwolves in revolutionizing arena fare to not only world-class cuisine but also follow his food philosophy of food as a “magical” experience. David is currently staging all his efforts out of his newest venture, Fhima’s Minneapolis, in the historic space formerly known as The Forum Cafeteria in downtown Minneapolis.

Crafts and Story Time (from 4-6 p.m.): Join PJ Library of Minneapolis and St Paul for crafts and storytime! Read and learn about the new books with PJ Library in their book nook. Also take some time to decorate Chag Sameach gift bags that JFCS will use during the holiday time. Don’t miss your chance to get some extra special story time and make an impact with this Mitzvah Project.

5 p.m. Hour

Whisky Tasting: Founded in 2021, M&H distillery is Israel’s first whisky distillery. Built in Tel Aviv, M&H benefits from the urban setting and naturally hot climate. M&H distillery uses a variety of different unique casks to create a range and depth of flavors in their whiskey. Join ImpEx Beverages as we taste the different whiskeys and learn about the process of their creation. 21+ only.

6 p.m. Hour

VIP Cocktail Hour: Enjoy our open bar and heavy appetizers from Blue Ox Provisions before the start of the VIP concert!

7 p.m. Hour

VIP Concert with Peter Himmelman: Peter Himmelman is an Emmy and Grammy nominated singer/songwriter from Minnesota. Join us for a special solo acoustic performance featuring your favorite songs.

Parking